DC proposed school boundaries to focus on neighborhood schools

WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- Students file into Northwest's Alice Deal Middle School, one of the most sought after middle schools in the District.

Now the system is hoping to level the playing field with a new proposed boundary plan that includes adding three new middle schools and an application-only school east of the river.

"I would be reluctant to go in a different direction," said mom Nan Pickens, "but I don't think boundary issues resolve the inequities."

"I think the people whenever you redraw boundaries you leave some people out," added dad Bryant Crowe.

The plan is designed to target the middle schools because there are so few quality middle schools throughout the city. Most parents end up leaving the system for charter or private school, and some even move to the suburbs.

Bernadette Thomas drives 30 minutes from her Northeast home to send her son to Deal. It's a sacrifice she says she's willing to make because her neighborhood school simply is not cutting it.

"You are not giving up on your local school, but you don't want your kid to be the guinea pig at a local school that's not performing well," she said.

"People want to go to their local school but if they're not happy with that school and they have other alternatives, they will seek those out," added Nan Pickens.

The boundary proposal still has to undergo a series of community meetings before it could be implemented in 2015.

While most students will be grandfathered in, the middle school changes affect students in 2nd grade and younger.

To learn more about the boundary proposal and how you can get involved click this link.